After a rough major-league introduction in his first two starts, the rookie right-hander found a rhythm Sunday, leading the Diamondbacks to a 7-1 win over the National League West-leading Dodgers, a strong performance heading into the All-Star break.

Bauer pitched six shutout innings in front of 30,523 fans at Chase Field, giving the Diamondbacks a much-needed 3-1 series win and helping them pull within four games of the Dodgers. For a team that has struggled throughout most of the season's first half, there are worse places to be.

"It's been a struggle, getting swept (recently) by the Padres, but to come in and win three out of four from the Dodgers ... it's very good," Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson said. "It gives us good momentum, a good feel about ourselves. We've endured a lot, (but we should) be in good shape going into the second half."

It had been a rough start for Bauer, the Diamondbacks' 2011 first-round draft pick. In his first start, June 28 in Atlanta, he lasted just four innings, limited by groin pain. Last Wednesday, the Padres roughed him up for seven runs (six earned) over 31/3 innings.

In the days leading up to his third start, catcher Miguel Montero suggested that Bauer needed to trust him more, or at least do a better job of communicating. Bauer said he preferred to throw to his own strengths rather than a hitter's weaknesses.

Before Sunday's game, Gibson put the issue to rest, telling reporters that everyone had talked, assuring that Bauer and Montero would be on the same page. He was right.

"It was a lot easier for me, knowing that when he put down the sign to know that Miggy knows how I like to pitch," Bauer said. "He's using his knowledge of the hitters to fit to my game plan, and let's go with it."

Montero said Bauer shook him off just four or five times.

"We had a game plan," the catcher said. "That's the whole key. How to approach the hitters in different situations. I was pretty sure about one pitch, and I guess he was to. The pace of the game is faster. It makes it a little better for him, and a little uncomfortable for the hitters."

Bauer gave up two hits, both doubles, the last coming in the third inning. From there, he retired the final 12 batters he faced, four by strikeout. Bauer finished with six strikeouts, walking just one, in picking up his first major-league win. By the time he left the game after six innings, the Diamondbacks were in control 5-0.

But there were other positive signs. Justin Upton -- recently booed by home fans -- had three hits, raising his season average to .273. The right fielder went 7 for 15 (.467) in this series and has hit safely against the Dodgers in nine consecutive games.

Paul Goldschmidt was just as strong Sunday, belting a three-run homer and finishing with four RBIs, and Montero drove in two. Patrick Corbin finished off the Dodgers, taking over for Bauer and giving up one run over the final three innings to earn his first big-league save.

The trick from here on out will be maintaining consistency. Over the last few weeks, the Diamondbacks have been streaky in both directions. Starting June 20, they won four, then lost two, won two, lost six. They'll start the second half on a three-game winning streak.

They hope to see it continue.

Rewind

Clearing the air: Much was made last week about the lack of communication between rookie right-hander Trevor Bauer and catcher Miguel Montero. Manager Kirk Gibson, however, said all that got worked out during a recent meeting that included the manager, pitching coach Charles Nagy, catchers Montero and Henry Blanco and Bauer.

"We just sat down and analyzed (Bauer's) first couple starts," Gibson said. "We wanted to understand his strengths and we wanted him to understand a few things. ... It was a great conversation, probably about 15 minutes."

At one point Sunday, Bauer motioned for Montero to come to the mound. Montero thought Bauer wanted to switch signs. Instead, the pitcher told him he was considering throwing a slider, but that he didn't want to walk the hitter.

"When he told me he didn't want to walk him, (I figured) it was because he didn't believe in his slider," Montero said. "So I said, 'You know what, let's go fastball away,' and he said, 'OK.' We have to have that type of communication. That's what's going to help him and help me and help the team."

Gibson said it takes young pitchers time.

"We don't know (Bauer)," the manager said. "He doesn't know us. He doesn't know the league. It's just a process. You'd like everything to just click. ... But this is a game of adjustments. If you don't adjust, you don't survive here. Period."

"He said, 'Bauer, then (Patrick) Corbin for three,'" Gibson said. "And that's how it worked out. Our bullpen is fairly tired right now. It worked good for Patrick, so he could get in the game and get some length as well."

View from the press box: Hitting coach Don Baylor pointed it out during the Dodgers series: For all the criticism directed at Justin Upton, the star outfielder still was hitting .267 entering Sunday's game. Up to Upton's standards? No. But not terrible, either. Upton had three hits Sunday, including a double and triple, raising his average to .273. The Diamondbacks hope it's a start, a precursor to the streaks Upton has gone on in the past. To chase down the Dodgers and Giants, they'll need as much.